On all of my prior hunts I wore contact lenses and regular sun glasses. With the onset of my 60's I find that my eyes no longer tolerate contacts for long periods. So, for those who wear glasses: Do you wear clip on sun glasses or transition lenses? I don't like clip ons but I wonder if you miss seeing into the shadows if you are wearing transition lenses. what has your experience been?

I don't wear sunglasses when hunting but wonder if you get some clip-ons that have that orange tint that lets you see into the shadows. I'll bet someone sells them.

When you find something good, please post as I have almost the same issue.

I read on here some time that suggested using presciption sunglasses in a grey shade - polarized especially to see Kudu.

I went in December to RSA during their summer and wore the above setup from sunrise to sunset and they worked grey. I went with a shade #2 from the optometrist.

Jim

The contacts still work for me -- I carry spares and a small bottle of saline in a belt pouch next to my ammo, but I'm seeing the handwriting on the wall. I'm probably not far behind you.

I hate glasses -- generally don't wear sunglasses for the same reason except when just looking for tracks. They interfere with binoculars and are a real pain in the rain, or when it's hot and you are sweating. In other words, just about any time you are hunting in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
I don't wear sunglasses when hunting but wonder if you get some clip-ons that have that orange tint that lets you see into the shadows. I'll bet someone sells them.

I wear Jonathan Paul polarized "fit overs". They totally wrap around and have side lenses and come in several different lens colors. Mine include a tough case with a solid clip for your belt.

Excellent product.

I use prescription sunglasses and really like them.

most of my hunts had 2 pair - I had one in each hand and the PH had the other 2 in each hand

You might consider the pair I got last year at Sams Club. The main reason I got them is the very comfortable one piece nose bridge, but of interest to you maybe is the fact that the metal frame eye glasses come with matching sunglasses without temples and are easy on/off and are secured by small integral magnets. I used them in RSA last Sept/Nov, here in Conn all the time. Theyre great. Details: Magnetite Patented Technology CE, MG780 56 square symbol 17/145 10. Sunglasses are marked MG780/10. Made in Korea.

I have used prescription sunglasses as well as clear glasses. When using clear glasses I was more comfortable and wore a wide brimmed hat. It worked better when going into shaded areas
and was less complicated. When on a DG elephant hunt I used no glasses as my eyes are not terrible and Iwas shooting irons, it worked perfectly. Hope this helps buy each person has different needs & priorities when hunting.

While i have NOT been to Africa, I have cowboyed in New Mexico and Texas for most of my life , wearing glasses. I like prescription sunglasses some times, if you aren't going in and out of shade. Most of the time i use clipons, polarized for sure, easy on and off just carry a spare pair or three.

SSR

+1 on the "fit overs".

I've worn prescription sunglasses or regular sunglasses that take a prescription insert behind the lenses on all my hunts since 1985. The Bolle line has some sport sunglasses that take an insert and I like them very much. This past year I tried the current G.I. issue sunglasses with their insert and they worked well also.

However, I wear progressive lenses 100% of the time and decided to try a bi-focal insert to save a couple bucks - about $200 - but they didn't work for me when going up and down hills chasing Elephant. I found myself tripping and mis-stepping frequently. Not a good thing.

Good thread. Everbodys eyes fade with time. I can see distance from a couple of feet on well, but I sure the open sights better with my glasses these days too. So I keep 3 pair around. Several good ideas here including the GI inserts above.

Perscription, polarized, oakley sunglasses worked great for me in Namibia, just like they do every day here in WY.

quote:

Originally posted by wyocoalminer:
Perscription, polarized, oakley sunglasses worked great for me in Namibia, just like they do every day here in WY.

I really like the Oakleys and I am going to look in to this too. But I think I prefer the clear glasses for actually taking the shot. But that is just for me.

I use clear prescription glasses while hunting. I just can't get comfortable trying to spot game with sunglasses.

I do prefer the clip-on sunglasses at other times.

G'Day Terry, I feel you pain! I had to start wearing spec's about ten years ago thanks to bloody computers! never been able to do the contact thing so i have normal and perscription polarized sunglasses and i haven't had any troubles so far,infact on most of the hunts i do i have worn the sunnies all day and noral glasses in camp.

I had Decot HiWyd make changeable brown shooting glasses in my prescription. I found the brown sharpens things nicely. Check out their web site. They have many lens colors available that interchange in your frame. Trap and skeet shooters have been using them for years. Their customer service is outstanding!

Got tired of wearing glasses, had laser eye surgery. Now just good sunglasses, and reading glasses sometime.

I use prescription sunglasses in a brown tint and have been happy with them but the "Fit overs" are probably the easiest and least expensive alternative. In my experience with Clip Ons the light coming in between the lenses when the sun is on the left or right causes a very distracting effect.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by TerryR:
On all of my prior hunts I wore contact lenses and regular sun glasses. With the onset of my 60's I find that my eyes no longer tolerate contacts for long periods. So, for those who wear glasses: Do you wear clip on sun glasses or transition lenses? I don't like clip ons but I wonder if you miss seeing into the shadows if you are wearing transition lenses. what has your experience been?

I've tried about everything over the years and have finally settled on always taking two sets of glasses with me in the field -- one set with clear lenses and the other pair heavily tinted. I just pick the pair most compatible with the situation.

The problem that I have always had with clip-ons is that none of them have the hard, scratch resistant lenses and all of mine end up being so heavily scratched that they're useless.

I hate transition lenses -- they simply react too slowly and I've found this to be a real problem when going from the bright sun into the shadows -- a circumstance very frequently encountered on a stalk. I don't find them to be compatible with serious hunting.

I wear transitions brown lenses normally - like the photobrown that helps with enhanced contrast. They are Crizal coated and produce little glare.

I also have sunglasses lensed with the new Coppertone lenses that are brown polarized with an AR coat (not Crizal).

I've found this combination the most satisfactory yet in the 25+ years I've been hunting since needing contacts/glasses. I wear the transitions lenses in mixed cover and the polarized glasses in the open. As an aside the polarized lenses are a godsend in hunting birds in the snow on cloudless days.

I've been wearing glasses for about 30 years now and have tried abut every type they've made during that period.

The transition lens are slow acting. Plus, when you don't want them to be dark, they'll be dark. Or, when you want them to be dark, they'll be light. I'll never buy another pair!

I wear clip-ons everytime I step out the door. This even includes while driving in the rain as the polarized clip-ons help cut the glare from the rain and road.

However, when hunting I don't use sunglasses. As others have stated, it is harder to see into the shadows, etc. Plus, that extra little room the clip-ons add mess with my focal length and I have a hard time looking thru my binocs with the clip-on added.

Maybe a prescription pair of shooting glasses would solve the problems listed above?

I carry both and swap between them (from dayback or vest). Slip-overs change the prescription too much for me -- had glasses since third grade and I'm 55. The trick is to NOT leave non-sunglasses in the truck in case you stay put looking at animals as the sun gets ready to set.

Damn, every time I have started a stalk with sunglasses on the PH always says "TAKE THOSE DAMN THINGS OFF". apparently they (dark lense) reflect the sun light. So I only wear sun glasses in transit on the truck, get out to hunt and regular glasses on.

I use prescription sunglasses but usually hunt with my clear eyeglasses. I don't like the clip-ons because it is an extra set of lenses to get dusty and the optical quality of most clip-ons leaves something to be desired.

Lots of good suggestions.

I've been using a pair of U.S.-made, high quality, graduated focal, transition glasses with a strap. They work for me in the bush, even with iron sights.

What won't work, however, is a lost (or broken) pair. Been there and done that. So... I do my best to take care of my "good" glasses and stick a set of Dollar Store pair of reading glasses in every bag I take. Not only that, I went on line (with my prescription) and bought two pairs of Chinese-made extras, one as transitions/graduated and another dark and graduated. They didn't cost $200 for both pairs. I can tell that they aren't of the quality of the $350 pair from my local optician, but they'll do better than Magoo sans specs.

I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy because my britches used to fall down too much.

I have a large patient base that sees me because they know I hunt and not one single piece of advise or lens wear works for everyone. Most eye doctors in the US have a large patient base of hunters,, ask the question when making an appointment,, does the doctor write lenses for hunting or shooting? if the response is not adequate go elsewhere.

I personally wear Transition lenses for most of my hunts. The newer ones react quickly to changes in sunlight. I am light sensitive so clear lenses hunting really fatigues my eyes and give me a headache. I always take prescription polarized lenses with me and like them in the field, the problem with that is you need to carry your clear lenses, or transition lenses with you into the field,, walking to the truck in the dark with only sunglasses is not fun or safe. Everyones tolerance to sun and glare is personal and early cataracts or post cataract conditions affect how you see to hunt. Not many of us on this site are 22 and walk the woods rabbit hunting with an open sight 22 anymore...

Use what works here optically for you where you hunt now,, Africa conditions visually not much different,,,except that buffalo in the shade you miss could mash you! A lot of it is just learning to spot the game in the bush, amazing how 1800 lb plus animals can just blend in,, with or without glasses

Last time I was in Cabelas, they had sunglasses that fit over your regular prescription glasses. They came in green, smoke, gray and yellow. I think they were around $60

I have worn eyeglasses since 4 years old. Have worn trifocals for many years. I dislike any kind of lense that decreases the light. I have very poor night vision. As a result I never wear ANY kind of supplemental lenses that decreases the light. I just wear a good cap or hat that shades the eyes and make do with that. I live in Southern Arizona and it don't get much brighter anywhere I've been in Africa. I don't feel handicapped in any way.